Ever since the BMW M division was launched, BMW realized that there’s some money to be made from selling clothes and accessories featuring the Bavarian brand and interesting designs. Over the years, alongside the BMW M division we got the BMW i division, defined by its forward-looking approach to the industry and usage of sustainable materials. The Germans launched the new BMW i Collection today showing a mix of stylish, innovative, sustainable items.
The items of clothing, for example, stand out not just for their pureness of form and subtle colors, but also their eye-catching styling and use of resource-friendly materials. Take, for example, the ladies’ and men’s BMW i T-Shirt or the BMW i Long-sleeve Shirt for men, which are made from organic cotton and TENCEL. The latter is an eco-friendly Lyocell fabric obtained from natural and sustainable forested eucalyptus wood that gives the T-shirt a particularly silky feel.
The men’s BMW i Jacket made from organic cotton features a delightful asymmetric cut and raglan sleeves, a high-quality lining in an elegant contrast color, plus a very neat design touch in the form of buttons made from recycled paper. Resource-friendly, sustainable manufacturing is an important consideration for the personal accessories in the collection, too. For instance, an unusual material known as appleskin – a vegan imitation leather made from apple fibers – is used for the BMW i Backpack, with its minimalist appearance and padded laptop compartment.
Salvaged waste from BMW i car seat production is ingeniously turned into the BMW i Pencil Set, complete with a high-quality, handcrafted case made from BMW i leather. The pioneering 3D printing technology already in use at BMW for a significant period of time enhances sustainability on the lifestyle front, too. PROJEKT SAMSEN, a young and creative Berlin-based label, has designed a glasses frame that is produced entirely using 3D printing – and requires neither hinges nor screws. This means there is virtually no production waste and the glasses are easy to recycle.
The BMW i Collection doesn’t stop at clothing and personal accessories – it also includes stylish designs for the home or office. The BMW i Wooden Bowl is made in a workshop in Finland. Although appearing feather-weight on account of its gracefully light, Scandinavian design, the bowl has a sturdiness that makes it ideal for holding office utensils, for example. The BMW i Coffee Maker by Stelton and the BMW i Cup by Stelton both feature an elegant blend of eco-friendly bamboo and classic stoneware. The BMW i Collection is now available at selected BMW dealers as well as online.
